keel Hauling to remove mussels

[pcatterall]

Mussel growth in Cagliari is a real problem. We had a diver down to scrape the prop and rudder, his report said that there were mussels on the keel.
This may be due to poor antifouling on the underside of our long wide keel. Thought that dragging a rope and 'seesawing it may clear them?
Any advice?

 

[ghostlymoron]

Very nice cooked in white wine with a touch of garlic.

 

[30boat]

Very nice cooked in white wine with a touch of garlic.

A friend of mine used to do that.He's still alive by the way...

 

[SimonD]

My Dad used to tell me that, back in the day, ships coming into Weymouth would sail over the Shambles bank to scrape the bottom. Hard to believe, but who knows?

 

[William_H]

Typically you can't antifoul the bottom of the keel when the boat is resting on the keel. So weed then mussels grow there. You may be able to scrape them off with a rope. Unfortunately only good polyester ropes will sink the cheaper ropes will float. I reckon you will still not really succeed however. It is a pity your diver did not take a little more time to clean the keel bottom. I suppose it depends on your own athleticism but I would advocate any boat owner be able to get in the water and clean his own hull. You might need a wet suit and a lead weight belt. You might have to experiment with the weight on the belt to enable you to get down under the keel and back up again all on a breath of air.
I have no problems with my boat but then water is not cold so no wet suit needed so no weight belt needed. On the other hand weed grows so fast in warm water that you have to be able to clean it yourself. Basically I lurch under the boat till I can grab the keel then climb down to the bottom. Swim fins can help too.
If the bottom of the keel has mussels on it then you will need gloves and a really stout heavy scraper. They don't come off easily. I would use something like a wide cold chisel with mass and no flexing rather than a paint scraper. good luck olewill

 

[BrianH]

Mussel growth in Cagliari is a real problem. We had a diver down to scrape the prop and rudder, his report said that there were mussels on the keel.
This may be due to poor antifouling on the underside of our long wide keel. Thought that dragging a rope and 'seesawing it may clear them?
Any advice?

I have to wonder if the diver was not touting for a second session.

I have to scrape my propeller regularly in the northern Adriatic or I would not be able to get out of my berth. As marina water is not so salubrious I only do what is necessary. The rudder and keel - or anywhere else that clumps of tube-worm shells congregate, which are our local bane - I leave for when at anchor somewhere, diving down with a paint scraper on a wrist lanyard. But with a long-keeler that is not too deep.

Even in the Med. there is some tidal influence - I see that Cagliari has 20cm difference between high and low water. Now if there was a stone shelf at just the right depth to get onto at high water then the keel settling on the ebb would crush the blighters into oblivion. It needs somewhere completely sheltered so not to bump on any swell on the flood and not a falling spring tide. .